Pros and Cons of Cats and Dogs

Adrienne is a former veterinary hospital assistant, certified dog trainer, behavior consultant, and author of "Brain Training for Dogs."

Are you exuberant, easy going and extrovert? Or are you solitary, a bit aloof and quiet? Chances are the choice of your pet may reflect a bit your personality. It is not a surprise why poets, artists and writers have a history of being cat people while movie stars, singers and those that generally have a lot to do with people choose the friendly dog. Whether or not this is true or just a generalization, there are also many other factors to keep in mind when choosing between a member of the canidae family or a felidae member.

Having owned both sides, I can say that they both come with their fair share if pros and cons. Deciding whether one is better compared to the other, is ultimately a choice left to the single individual, its lifestyle and personality.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Cat

PROS

1) Cats are easy to maintain. All they need is a food and water bowl, a litter box and they should be good to go. Additional items can be added at your own free choice. Some spoiled cats have cat trees, scratching posts, toys, catnip, special shampoos and grooming kits. Others simply enjoy a window view and a piece of paper rolled up and that will make their day.

2) Cats are independent. Yes, you can go to work for 8 hours straight and your cat may not miss you or at least it will not show much commotion when you leave. They can easily entertain themselves and cater to their needs on their own. I once, had to leave my cat for the weekend alone (boarding was out of question as she did not do well in unfamiliar territory) and I was sick worried and when I came back there she was like if nothing happened.

3) Cats are clean. You will not smell that typical doggy odor and they rarely have anal gland issues. Your home will not smell like cat and if you are particularly careful in keeping the litter box clean and fresh with high quality litter chances are, nobody will ever now you share your roof with a feline.

4) Cats are lazy. Well, some are really not much. There are some hyperactive breeds such as Bengals and Siamese, but most cats are pretty lazy pillow warmers that sleep up to 16 hours a day. No need to walk them every day to keep their energy levels low, a ball tossed about the room will suffix.

5) Cats are litter box trained. Cats do not need to be walked at 5 in the morning in the dead of the winter with Subarctic temperatures. They will do their business in their litter box while you can sleep in after a late evening. All they need is a litter and a litter box and a 5 second daily scoop.

CONS

1) Cats are standoffish. While this may be true, I have encountered a few individuals that were sort of "doggy cats" really eager to stay near their owners and happy as can be to greet them. However, the majority of cats I have owned decided when to give and get affection on their own terms. They also decide when they had enough, and if you own a cat with bad temper he/she may let you know with some teeth marks.

2) Cats have nails. Yes, those claws can do their fair share of damage to your Lazy boy sofa and recliner. If not redirected to a nice scratching post, your home may be quickly destroyed. While declawing should be out of question, luckily, frequent nail trimmings may save some of your furniture and upholstery.

3) Cats do not like to travel. Cats are very territorial, they feel calm when they are in their territory and their scent is over their favorite objects and people. If you plan to travel a lot or go on vacation, your cat may not be a happy camper. However, there are always exclusions and some cats that traveled a lot as kittens are quite comfortable being moved about cross country.

4) Cats may cause allergies. Their fur carries dander and their saliva is a known culprit in causing allergies. There are a lot of people suffering from allergies. If you are allergic to cats but do not care much about appearance, a hairless cat breed like the Sphinx or Devon Rex may be a solution.

5) Cats are not too easy to train. While your dog may go to obedience classes, your cat may have a hard time learning things like walking politely on a leash. It is hard to tell if the cat is really acting dumb like he has no clue what you want or if it is just a smart strategy to make humans give up on training them. Telling a cat not to climb on your kitchen counter or not to steal your steak from the table may be a challenge that will require some good thinking and special strategies.

Pros and Cons of Owning Dogs

PROS

1) Dogs are people pleasers. Ask a dog to sit, stay, come, roll over, give paw and your dog will work hard to make you happy. Dogs have lived for centuries with humans and it is deep in their genes their need to work to please their humans. Whether, your dog must pull a sleigh or gather sheep, the dog will do it and even promptly.

2) Dogs are social. You can take your dog easily on vacation with you and as long as they are with their owners they are fine. Territory is not a big deal for them and they can move to a different place each day with not much fuss. In nature, dogs tend to move a lot in search of food and they are used to changing their habitat quite often. Living with their pack is what mostly counts.

3) Dogs promote healthy lifestyles. Dog owners are kept healthy because dogs need walked. Dog owners lead a healthy lifestyle when exposed to fresh air everyday as they walk their dog vigorously in the morning. Dogs also unlike exercise programs ensure consistency because owners must always walk their dogs cutting off the risk of procrastinating.

4) Dogs are fun. A dog can learn many games and they can keep a family entertained. Dogs may fetch and play hide and seek. They can be enrolled in agility classes or pull carts. They can learn a lot of tricks and they can go swimming in lakes or run in the sand on the beach. There many fun activities owners can share with their dogs.

5) Dogs are loyal. Dogs are very devoted to their owners. Some have even died from the sorrow following their owner's death. Dogs will follow their owners everywhere and will do what they can to please them. Not many humans offer the unconditional love that dogs are able to offer.

CONS

1) Dogs need maintenance. Yes, some need their anal glands expressed others need frequent baths because they may be smelly.. They need chew toys and bones to keep their teeth in good condition and grooming sessions to keep their fur nice and tidy. They need to obediencetrained and they must learn leash manners. Dogs are more costly than cats and require more care.

2) Dogs depend on humans. Some dogs suffer from great separation anxiety when left alone. Others may bare with their owner's absence but cannot be left alone too long because they need to be fed, sent out to potty and because they tend to feel lonely. Dogs require to be boarded or brought along when owners must leave from several hours to a week end. It is a sad fact that dogs are often abandoned because of this.

3) Dogs chew. A puppy's teething may turn into a nightmarish even. If not redirected to chew toys and bones most dogs will try to gnaw on the attractive dining room's table legs or even through the drywall. Some dogs still will chew for the rest of their lives if not trained early on what behaviors are acceptable and which are not. However, most dogs will learn their boundaries and will learn to leave your furniture alone.

4) Dogs need to be walked. That nippy morning walk may feel like a chore to some dog owners. Truth is, your dog will need to be walked 365 days a years because they need to have their bowel movements. Hiring a dog walker may be costly and procastrinating may mean ruining your well housebroken dog. It is a fact that like it or not your dog must be walked rain or shine and even snow.

5) Dogs are bulky. Large dogs may not be permitted in apartment complexes and some breeds are even banned lately from communities. If you are planning to move, you must do your research well as some places will not allow dogs over a certain weight. An 80 pound dog may also feel like a cow in a china store once it grows up to its potential and it may tug at leash in such a manner of making its owner fall.

So here are the biggest pros and cons of owning cats and dogs. There may be a lot of homework required before making a choice, however, whether you decide a purring kitten or a fluffy puppy, enjoy your pet to the fullest and best of luck!

Comments

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Auron 2 weeks ago

This is going to help with the research paper I am doing, Adrienne. Thanks!

heba 5 weeks ago

this is helping on my homework and at school the bothside pro and con. thank you very very much can you give me more thing to write give me something new

dd 8 weeks ago

dogs are better

Author

Adrienne Janet Farricelli 3 months agofrom USA

Avery, don't cats meow too though?

avery 3 months ago

don't forget a con about dogs... THEY BARK!!

Nate 6 months ago

Cool article! I now feel more confident about picking a dog or a cat as a pet! Thanks!

bubbly...Cookies 10 months ago

I had to do a report on which i like better a cat or dog. And i went with dogs. She gave me an A+ THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

Alica 13 months ago

I always think I be a dog person who ever gives a fuck about be a dog lover not a cat lover.

Brady 17 months ago

thankyou for the info

WTG123 2 years ago

Thanjs for the free info

Laura 5 years ago

That gave me some ideas for my homework project im doing, thanks guys

clyford 5 years ago

thank you for that

Author

Adrienne Janet Farricelli 5 years agofrom USA

I am happy you liked my article on pros and cons of cats and dogs.

gim 5 years ago

very nice i like it good job contain it thanks

Lee 5 years ago

thanks! this really helped me on a report about dogs and cats;)

Author

Adrienne Janet Farricelli 5 years agofrom USA

That is cute! I love it when dogs and cats get along in the same household they just do the sweetest things!

Bayleigh 5 years ago

I am a dog person, I prefer dogs, mainly because they are always happy to see you, they know when something isn't right, and you can do a lot more with them. Although I loke dogs way more, and I don't like the majority of cats, I love the cat I have. He will run with the dogs to greet you when you come home, and he will come to you and follow you around for attention. He likes car rides, and he is very loyal to my dog, because we rescued him as a kitten, and my dog has pretty much taken him in and raised him. They sleep together, and when he catches mice in the horse and cow feed, he brings them to my dog, as some cats catch bugs and put them in their owners' shoes. it's so cute!

Eiddwen 6 years agofrom Wales

So very interesting ;I vote up plus bookmark as one of my favourites.

Eddy.

Author

Adrienne Janet Farricelli 6 years agofrom USA

Happy you got a great score, best wishes:)

bella 6 years ago

OMG you saved my life! i had to write an article on which pet is better but instead i wrote how it all depends on someones persanality, and she gave me and A+!!!!!!! live long alexadry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jackie Lynnley 6 years agofrom The Beautiful South

My cat is almost 17 and she is pretty good, other than attacking me out of the blue 2 or 3 times, I don't consider that too bad.

the dean 6 years ago

Dogs don't need walking just let them out back and train them to let you know when they need to out

Victoria Lynn 6 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

I have 6 cats and a dog, and I love them all. I would say I'm a cat AND dog person. Awesome hub! You're right on. I think both dogs and cats are wonderful in their own ways.

JennyKnight 6 years agofrom Miles, Iowa

It was just lately when I discovered that I am a cat person. Growing up I have had pet dogs and loved them dearly. I grew fond of cats when I got my Birman and my Egyptian Mau. The only thing I didn't love about them is the fact that they can go out for days and not come back (to the point that I don't even know if they'll go home) for a long time. Now I have 8 cats (4 Egyptian Maus and 4 Birmans) and 2 gentle giants (2 Bull Mastiffs). They get along really well and I just love it!

yummy 432 7 years ago

i found this very useful for an essay thanks ;)

Mer 7 years ago

I've been around no less than 4-5 cats since birth so they're what I prefer and am accustomed to. It's a pity I can't say the same thing about my boyfriend. He chooses dogs. At the moment we have both. And tend to disagree on eacher's pet of choice. Making it possibly the only thing we would ever argue about. That really saddens me. We can't understand eachother's logic or reasons. So it can create quite a tension in a relationship.

Hector 7 years ago

brettb 5 months ago.

Just to this person, the cats dont know they are superior, they think they are, or if you want to think this that's ok, but they are not superior in any way.

mynameisnick 7 years ago

i have one dog and i really want a cat. that is all.-nick out

Grace 7 years ago

I grew up with dogs and loved them. Had always thought cats are mean and unpredicably scratchy. But now I'm a total cat-lover and honestly prefer them to my whining, greedy, chew everything, poo and pee everywhere teenage dachshund! Cats command respect and they gives you respect in return. Plus they are quiet, graceful and smart enough not to eat poo or destroy their own place of dwellings.

Kay8127 7 years ago

I'm definitely a dog person. #5 in the pros of owning a dog is the most important!!!! :)

0000000000000000000000000 7 years ago

I HAVE 1 DOG AND IS PROUD OF IT

Sheryl 7 years ago

I have 3 cats and a dog and I have to say that cats are def. easier to take care of. The thing I think needs to be stressed though is how cats can have extremely different personalities. In my lifetime I've had several cats, and though I wouldn't describe them of being doggish, many were very affectionate and several of them were trained. I have a cat now that can high five, shake, speak, sit and jump onto/into things on command. Just like a dog, you have to find what motivates them and some cats are just harder to train then others.

rachel.htpmv 7 years ago

Thanks for your insights! I have two cats and I'm dying to get a dog as well.

brettb 7 years agofrom London

Each cat is really unique, they always have different personalities. The only thing they have in common is that they know they are superior to all other life forms (including us!)

estranged911 7 years agofrom India!

Great hub. Gave me a lot of insight into cat's lifestyle. I have never pet a cat and was planning to do so. The information you provided is really of great help.

animallover8 7 years ago

This is great. I am a cat lover and dog lover. But cats are certainly easier to take care of. :-)

MeganM 8 years ago

This "How To" has helped me with my persuasive/argumentative essay for college. Really breaks it all down. Thank you!

Jaspal 8 years agofrom New Delhi, India

Interesting reading. You've got it all covered, and very well. I've always been a dog person and we've always had one at home. Now, lately, we have two.

Petsit Lady 8 years agofrom Spring, Texas

"Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative".

Think about this when adopting! And PLEASE get a rescue. NOT a puppy mill dog from a pet store!

Amanda Davey 8 years agofrom Canterbury, Kent, UK

I've always been a cat person. However, we are now the proud owners of 4 cats, 1 puppy and 3 chickens. I'd have another guinea pig and rat if I could but think I've got my hands full already!